Combined potted-bule package and jardiniere



u C. E. GARDNER COMBINED POTTED BULB PACKAGE AND JARDINIERE Filed Oct. 1. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. E. GARDNER COMBINED POTTED BULB PACKAGE AND JARDINIERE Filed Oct. 1, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 6, 1924.

UNITED STATES oLAnx' E. GARDNER, or osAen, IOWA.

COMBINED POTTED-BU LB PACKAGE AND JARDINIERE.

Application filed October 1, 1923. Serial No. 665,878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARK E. GARDNER,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Osage, in the county of Mitchell and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Potted-Bulb Package and Jardinierc, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a combined package and jardiniere for shipping potted flower bulbs, which is comparatively simple in construction and which can be manufactured quite cheaply.

Still a further object is to provide a package for receiving a potted bulb wherein the potted bulb will be retained in the package against any possible movement and yet. the bulb will be permitted to sprout and grow somewhat within the package without any likelihood of injury to the bulb or the pot in which it is placed.

Still a further object is to provide a package or container for receiving a potted bulb, and to provide means for retaining the potted bulb against movement within the package or container, for thereby preventing any injury to the sprouted portion of the potted bulb, and at the same time toprovide a cover for the potted bulb for preventing any of the contents of the pot or potting compound from spilling.

In this connection, it may be mentioned that Holland bulbs are ordinarily shipped by placing the bulb in a suitable paper container called a pot, and placing around the bulb a potting compound ordinarily consisting of peat, sphagnum moss, and sulphate of ammonia,

The bulbs remain in the potting compound and begin to sprout when water is poured around the potting compound.

My package is provided with a cover flap for completely covering the upper open side of the pot having the bulb therein so as to prevent any of the potting compound from coming out of the pot and at the same time retains the pot against movement within the package.

Still a further object is to provide a bracing means formed from a portion of the package for resting against the cover flap and bracing the pot against any longitudinal movement within the package.

Still a further object is to provide an opening within the cover flap which permits package itself that when the potted bulb is removed therefrom, the package may be used as a jardiniere for the potted bulb by merely cutting away a portion of the package and folding of parts thereover in such a way as to make a comparatively strong jardiniere.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out'in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved package showing thesame in open position with a potted bulb therein.

Figure 2 is a central, sectional View taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the package with the sides thereof and end flaps thereof partly spaced apart for more clearly showing the construction of each of the sides and flaps which form the complete package, as well as the cover flap for the potted bulb and the bracing means.

Figure 4 is sectional view taken on line 4.-4 of Figure 1 showing the bracing means.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the sheet from which the entire package, cover flap and bracing means are formed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the jardiniere formed from the package itself by cutting away certain portions thereof.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the jardinire with the potted bulb therein.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference character A to indicate generally a sheet preferably of. paper, from which the package proper is formed. The sheet A is divided into four side wall portions 10, 11 12 and 13.

Secured to the free side edge of the side 13 is the side flap 14.

A bottom end flap 15 is secured to one end of the side 10 and is designed to be folded on the dash line 16.

A top end flap 17 is formed on the top end of the side 10 and is designed to be folded i on the dash line 18. The bottom end figs and the top end flap 17 are provid with slitted portions 19 and 20 respectively.

The side 11 is provided with a bottom end flap 21 and a top end" flap 22. The end folded at right angles to the side 11 and substantially parallel to the end flap on the dash line 24.

The side 10 is bent at right angles to the side 11 on the dash line 25.

The top end flaps 17 and 22 as well as the bottom end flaps 15 and 21 are separated from each other,- as clearly shown in F1g ure 5 of the drawings.

The side 12 is provided with a locklng flap 26 which has a tongue 27 thereon. The locking flap 26 is designed to be folded on the dash line 28 until it is substantlally at right angles to the side 12.

A top locking flap 29 havlng the locking tongue 30 thereon is formed on the upper end of the side 12 and is designed to be folded on the dash line 31 until the locking fla 29 is substantially parallel with the loc ing flap 26.

' The side 12 is designed to be folded at right angles relative to the side 11 uponthe dash line 32 and the heavy dotted line 33.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen by folding the sides 10 and 12 at right angles to the slde 11, I form three walls of my package.

The end flaps 21 and 22 on the side 11 are then folded inwardly on the dash lines 23 and 24 and the flaps 15 and 17 are then folded over the flaps 21 and 22 and will rest thereagainst.

The locking flaps 26 and 29, having the locking tongues 27 and 30 thereon, rest upon the outer surface of the flaps 15 and 17 and the tongues 27 and 30 will extend into the slits 19 and 20.

The locking flaps 26 and 29 are provided with notches 34 and 35 which coact with the flaps 15 and 17 for securely holding the locking flaps 26 and 29 in engagement with the end flaps 15 and 17.

Secured to the locking flap 26 is a tongue 36 having a cover flap 37 thereon. The cover flap is substantially rectangular in outline and of substantially the same size as to cross sectional area of the package when completed. The purpose of the tongue 36 and the cover flap 37 will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The tongue 36- is designed to be folded relative to the locking flap 26 on the dash line 38.

The cover flap 37 is designed to be folded at right angles to the tongue 36 on the heavy dotted lines 39.

The locking flap 29 has an extension 40 meaiea I thereon arranged to be folded at right an les thereto on the dash line 41. A bracing ap 42 is secured to the extension 40 and-is separated therefrom on each of its sides by the slits 43.

The bracing flap 42 is bent at right angles to the extension 40 on the dash line 44. The bracing flap is provided .with a pair of side flanges 45 which are arranged to be bent at an angle relative to the main body portion of t e flap 42, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The side 13 is to be bent at right angles to the side 12 for forming the fourth side of the packa e, on the dash line 46.

The side dash line 47 at right angles to the side 13 and to rest against the inner surface of the side 10 when the package is completed.

The tongue 36, which is bent upon the dash line 38, projects forwardly and restsagainst the side 13 while the projection 40 is bent on the dash line 41 and rests against the under side of the end flap 22.

.The brace flap 42 projects downwardly at right angles to the projection 40.

The cover flap 37 is bent at right angles to the tongue 36 and has its four side edges rest against the four sides 10, 11 and 12 and 13 of the completed package.

The brace flap 42 extends between the pro-' ap '14 is to be bent upon the jection 40, which is located at the top of'the package, and the cover flap 37, which is located substantially midway between the top and bottom of the package.

From the construction-of the parts just described, it will be seen that the end flaps on the sides 10, 11 and 12 coact with each other for forming the top and bottom of the package and that the side 13 forms what may be properly called the closure member and cover for the package, while the side flap 14 retains the side .13 in closed position.

' A corrugated piece of reinforcing paper 48 is glued or otherwise secured to the back side of the reinforcingflap 42, as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The cover flap 37 is provided with an opening 49, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth The package is especially designed for shipping of potted bulbs, and I have used the reference numeral 50 to indicate a flower bulb which is placed in a pot 51 having the The opening 49 having a portion of the bulb projecting therethrough will cause the pot itself to be held against any sideward movement.

The reinforced flap 42 projects downwardly from the projection and has its lower edge rest against the cover flap 37 near the free edge thereof.

The bending of the flanges 45 at an angle relative to the main body portion of thebracing flap 42, gives me a construction which will properly brace the potted bulb to such an extent that it will be retained against any movement within the package itself.

The corrugated paper sheet 48 reinforces the flap 42.

When it is desired to remove the potted bulb from the package, all that is necessary is to straighten out the flanges 45 on the bracing flap 42 and push the lower end thereof inwardly in the package until it clears the free edge of the cover flap 37, wherein the cover flap 37 may then be .raised or swung upon the line 39 until it clears the bulb portion, which may project through the opening 49.

It will be seen that I have provided a package wherein the bulb will be retained in a pot and at the same time, the bulb in case it sprouts, will not become destroyed during shipping or handling of the entire package. The package is of sufficient height so as to leave a considerable amount of room above the cover flap 38 in case the bulb sprouts a considerable amount.

The side 13 and the side flap 14, when swung to the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, will permit access to the interior of the package for properly moving the reinforced flap 42 to position where the potted bulb may be swung together with the tongue 36 and the cover flap 37 on the line 38 for permitting the sprouted portion to be withdrawn from the opening 49.

In this connection, it may be mentioned that the bulb always has some part which extends above the potting compound and above the upper edge of the pot itself so that there is always a portion which projects through the opening 49.

After the package has been opened and the potted bulb removed therefrom, it is quite convenient to make a jardinire from the package itself and in order to make the jardiniere, it is necessary to cut the sheet A along the heavy doted lines 33 and 53.

The cover flap 37 is also cut from the remainder of the sheet along the heavy dotted lines 39.

The flaps 15, 21 and 26 function in the same manner as when they are used in connection with the package which has just been described.

The sides 10 and 11 are creased on the dotted lines 54 and 55.

The sides 10 and 11 are separated from each other by cutting from their upper edges, downwardly to the lines 54 and 55.

The part of the side 10 above the line 54 is divided into three portions referred to by the reference numerals 56, 57 and 58.

The part of the side 11, above the line 55, is divided into three parts referred to by the reference numerals 59, 60 and 61.

The jardiniere below the lines 54, and 55 is left exactly like it is when used as a package.

The portion 56 of the side 10 is bent downwardly against the portion of the side flap 14 which is left after cutting away the portion above theline 53.

The part 57 rests against the bottom of the box while the part 58 projects upwardly against the side 12.

The portion 59 of the side 11 is bent so that it is doubled over and received within the jardiniere itself wherein the portion 60 rests against the upper surface of the portion 57, while the portion-61 rests against the inner surface of the tongue 36.

It will be seen that by using the sides 11 and 12 as parts of the jardiniere, I am able to make a jardiniere out of the package which will be comparatively strong and suitable for the purposes intended.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of my invention, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their'scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a package adapted to contain a potted bulb, a cover flap for the potted bulb and a brace flap arranged at right angles to said cover flap and extending between the top of the package and the cover flap, and flanges formed on the sides of the brace flap and arranged at an angle thereto as specified.

2. In a device ofthe class described, a package adapted to contain a potted bulb, a cover flap for the pot-ted bulb, said cover flap having an opening the-rein substantially in the center thereof for permitting a portion of the potted bulb to extend therethrough, a brace flap having side flanges thereon adapted to engage said cover flap adjacent the opening for holding said cover flap snugly against the potted bulb.

3. In a device of the class described, a package adapted to contain a potted bulb, a cover flap for the potted bulb, said cover flap having an opening therein substantially in the center thereof for permitting a portion of the potted bulb to extend therethrough, a brace flap adapted to engage said cover flap adjacent the opening for holding said cover flap snugly against the potted bulb.

4. A. package comprising a single sheet of paper folded to form side walls, a top and a bottom, a cover flap secured to the bottom and adapted to form a horizontal partition Within the package and a brace flap egrtending downwardly from the top and 1n engagement with said cover flap.

5. A package comprlsing a single sheet of paper folded to form side Walls, a top and a bottom, a cover flap secured to the bottom and adapted to form a horizontal partition within the package and a brace flap egrtending downwardly from the top and 1n engagement with said cover flap, one of the side walls being capable of swinging movement for permitting access into said package for manipulating the cover flap and the brace flap.

6. A package for containing a potted bulb, comprising a single sheet of paper folded to form side walls, a top and a bottom, a cover flap for the potted bulb adapted to form a horizontal partition within the package, and a brace flap within the package adapted to extend between the top thereof and the cover flap for preventing longitudinal movement of the potted bulb within the package.

7 A package for containing a potted bulb Leeanea comprising a single sheet of paper folded to flap within the package adapted to extend between vthe top thereof and the cover for preventing longitudinal movement of the potted bulb within the package.

8. In a package for potted bulbs, a foldable container having a compartment portion to receive a potted bulb and a compartment portion adjacent thereto into which a bulb sprout may project, a cover ele ment for holding the contents of the pot against spilling, and means extending between the top of the package and the cover element .for preventing movement of the bulb pot from said first compartment portion into the other compartment portion for thereby preventing injury to the sprout.

9. In a device-of the class described, a package for containing a potted bulb having a brace member adapted to rest above the bulb pot and to engage the top of the package for holding said pot in place and preventing the injury of the bulb sprout and a cover for said pot to prevent the spilling of the contents thereof.

Des Moines, Iowa, September 26, 1923.

CLARK E. GARDNER. 

